Foster and Kinship Care Week 2017

Across Life Without Barriers, Foster and Kinship Care Week 2017 celebrations are held to thank the wonderful and dedicated foster, kinship and relative carers who work tirelessly to keep children safe and help them fulfil their dreams. The Foster and Kinship Care Week 2017 dates are:

QLD 24th-30th April

WA 24th-30th April

VIC 10th-16th September

TAS 10th-16th September

ACT 10th-16th September

SA 10th-16th September

NSW 10th-16th September

2017 National Foster and Kinship Care Conference “Shine a light”

The 2017 National Foster & Kinship Care Conference promises to Shine a Light. It brings together foster and kinship carers, young people, sector colleagues and other experts such as researchers and childhood professionals from across Australian and the globe.

LWB North West Foster Carers Morning Tea - East Devonport Child and Family Centre. Child care provided. Massages, cake and much more.

Burnie, North West TAS office

03 6432 5901

North Tasmania

Thursday 14 September

LWB Northern Foster Carers Morning Tea – Details to be confirmed.

Rocherlea, North TAS office

03 6337 3800

Molong, NSW

Saturday 16 September

Western Region are holding a Foster Carers Kids and Families Picnic at Molong Recreation Park, Molong NSW. The event will include BBQ lunch and activities in accordance with the 2017 ACWA Theme of “Get Active”. Some of which include a Jumping Castle, running races, Cricket and other ball games.

LWB Western is working with other OOHC Agencies across the Western Region in running this event. It is anticipated that between 50-100 people will participate.

Orange, Western NSW office 02 6394 9700

Maitland, NSW

Wednesday 27 September

You are welcome to attend a day of fun and celebration at the Hunter Foster and Kinship Care Interagency picnic in Maitland. Activities include the Reptile Man, RAAF flyover, craft workshops, jumping castle, DJ Lennie, show bags and much more!!

Location: Maitland Park, Les Darcy Drive, Maitland

Time: 10 am – 2pm

LWB carers contact your local office

Lower Hunter: 02 4033 4500

Upper Hunter: 02 4035 8100

Central Coast: 02 4343 8800

Non-LWB carers contact your local agency

Albion Park, NSW

Sunday 9 September

Picnic in the Park

Location: Croome Road Albion Park

Time: 11am to 2pm

Wollongong,Southern NSW office 02 4260 2200

Corrimal, NSW

Sunday 10 September

Spring into Corrimal includes over 280 market stalls, entertainment, live music and a grand parade within the central hub of Corrimal and surrounding streets and parks. There is a designated area featuring storytelling and entertainment especially for small children and young people. There will be three stages featuring a variety of performances from local bands and community organisations.

Location: Princes Highway Corrimal

Time: 9am to 4pm

Wollongong,Southern NSW office 02 4260 2200

Figtree, NSW

Saturday 16 September

Kids in Care Cup

The Kids in Care Cup will raise awareness of the need for foster carers in NSW - in particular the need for Aboriginal foster carers for Aboriginal kids

The Melbourne team are having an event for Carers and kids on Tuesday 26th at Airborn Indoor Trampoline Park at 2/195 Somerton Rd, Roxburgh Park, VIC 3064

Epping, Melbourne Area office, 03 8405 4400

Foster Care: It's Life Changing

Children in care may be frightened and are always vulnerable. They need compassionate and resilient adults in their lives to show them that they are important and valuable. Children in care are supported by a Care Team. Foster carers work in partnership with caseworkers, specialised support staff and the child or young person and where possible, the child’s family.

We acknowledge the importance of preserving and enhancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s sense of identity by maintaining their connections with family, community and culture.

Could you foster?

Foster Carers:

Can be from any cultural background

Must be over 18, with relevant life experience

Can be single; defacto, married or same sex couples; with or without children

Should be keen to continue learning and developing their skills

Should have a regular source of income to meet their own family’s needs

Have a spare room in their home or apartment – can be renters or owners

Should be ready to welcome a child into their family

Are able to focus on meeting the needs of children in their care including their educational and health needs as well as other activities such as sport or music

Should have a willingness to support the child to develop a sense of identity which includes the child’s culture, language and religion, where appropriate.

Have a commitment to work with a child’s family and a team of professional stakeholders for better outcomes

If you would like more information, please call 1300 592 227 or email us at carers@lwb.org.au

In the spirit of Reconciliation, Life Without Barriers acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this country, and their connection to land, water and community. We pay our respect to them, their cultures and customs, and to Elders both past and present.